Chapter 121: Fierce Battle (Part I)

After Leng Fengyang’s voice fell silent, the two groups joined forces and set off toward Hidden Mist Peak. Ordinarily, opening Hidden Mist Peak required the consent of at least three elders from different peaks and the master of any one peak. Only by joining hands could they open it. But today, not only was the Sect Master present—the masters of the other four peaks and the elders of all five peaks were there as well. Opening Hidden Mist Peak was therefore effortless.

When they reached the summit of Hidden Mist Peak, Sect Master Leng Fengyang, Lei Wei, Elder Xiao, and Yun Shuilan stepped forward together and pressed their palms against a smooth section of rock wall. The sheer cliff suddenly blazed with a dazzling white light. A moment later, the mountainside split apart of its own accord, revealing a secluded valley before them.

Leng Fengyang called for everyone to follow and entered the valley first. The others quickly followed. Once everyone had gone inside, the opened stone wall automatically closed again.

The old man surnamed Rong surveyed the valley several times. When his gaze fell upon the two fighting platforms within, a strange glint flashed through his eyes.

Ji Mo had been carefully observing the expressions of the old man and his companions all along. She did not miss that fleeting glimmer in the old man’s eyes. A trace of suspicion arose in her heart, but she had no time to ponder it further.

After entering the valley, everyone looked around and discovered that it was not very large. Its entire area covered only a few dozen kilometers. The vegetation was sparse, and jagged, grotesque rocks filled the landscape wherever they looked.

At the two ends of the valley stood a fighting platform each. Every platform was about three zhang high, ten zhang wide, and more than fifty zhang long. The two platforms were separated by several kilometers.

Fengyang’s gaze first swept over Ji Mo and Yanwei before finally settling on Su Ye and Mo Wuxin. He said, “These two platforms can withstand a full-power battle between cultivators at the Deity Transformation Realm. You may choose either one.”

“Senior Brother, Young Master Mo, Yanwei and I will take advantage of our position and choose this platform. Would that be acceptable?” Ji Mo composed herself, pointed toward the platform closer to her, and let her gaze pass over Su Ye, Mo Wuxin, and Yanwei before speaking with a smile.

“I have no objection. What do the two of you think?” Su Ye replied with a slight shrug.

“We are guests, so we shall defer to our hosts,” Mo Wuxin and Yanwei answered together.

Su Ye smiled faintly and said no more. He headed toward the other platform, with Mo Wuxin following close behind.

Neither the people of the Moonwatch Sect nor the old man surnamed Rong objected to the arrangements made by Ji Mo, Yanwei, Su Ye, and Mo Wuxin. They allowed the four of them to take their respective platforms, while the others chose suitable positions from which to watch the battle.

Though the two platforms were several kilometers apart, everyone present was at least a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Watching the battles on both platforms simultaneously was no difficult matter.

“Miss Ji, I made the first move last time. As the host, you already yielded one round and fulfilled the duties of hospitality. Now it is your turn to attack,” Yanwei said as he stepped onto the platform.

His aura changed abruptly. His ordinary features instantly became vivid and fierce, and he fixed his blazing gaze on Ji Mo.

“Very well. Take my first punch!”

Ji Mo was not one to waste words. The moment she finished speaking, she took a step forward and charged at Yanwei with bare fists.

The distance between the two ends of the platform was several dozen zhang. The platform itself seemed neither wood nor metal, and no one knew what material it was actually made of. Every step Ji Mo took caused a deep rumble to reverberate through the air.

Those who did not know better might have thought that some enormous monster was charging across the platform. No one would have imagined that such terrifying noise had been produced by a beautiful, slender young woman using nothing but her footsteps.

Ji Mo’s stride appeared highly measured, and her speed was not especially fast. Yet the distance of several dozen zhang vanished in an instant. In less than two breaths, she had reached Yanwei.

A simple straight punch shot toward Yanwei’s face.

Both of them cultivated the Heavenly Demon Body Tempering Art, and close-quarters combat was their specialty. For that reason, neither was willing to draw a weapon first.

“Well done!”

A scorching light erupted in Yanwei’s eyes. With a great shout, he swung his fist to meet hers.

Boom!

Their fists collided without the slightest flourish. Invisible shock waves spread outward in every direction, only to be dispersed by the protective formation surrounding the arena.

The only visible result was a faint flush rising over the faces of both fighters. They then retreated several steps in succession, their brows and hair blown backward, their sleeves fluttering in the wind.

Ji Mo’s punch had accomplished nothing, but she was not discouraged. After retreating several steps, she did not even pause to catch her breath before charging forward once more.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Their fists, knees, and elbows collided again and again. The violent shock waves produced by their brutal exchanges caused the surrounding air to erupt with muffled thunderclaps. The destructive force generated by their battle was completely neutralized by the protective formation.

But those thunderous impacts still struck at the hearts of everyone watching.

Among the members of the Moonwatch Sect present, everyone except the old man surnamed Rong changed color. Could such terrifying collisions truly have been produced by two Foundation Establishment cultivators?

The greatest shock was felt by Prince Yun and the guests from the Lan Hui Sect and the Ancient Intent Sect. As they watched Ji Mo on the platform, their eyes were filled with astonishment and disbelief.

They were all disciples of fifth-rank forces. Why, then, were the disciples of the Moonwatch Sect so much stronger than their own?

Ji Mo had no time to concern herself with what anyone else was thinking. All her attention was focused on Yanwei.

The battle between them grew increasingly fierce. The fighting spirit within their hearts burned like molten lava. Ji Mo felt every cell in her body shrieking for battle—battle, battle, battle!

As one’s cultivation of the Heavenly Demon Body Tempering Art advanced, the desire for combat became increasingly intense.

The same was true of Yanwei, even more so. He had always been extremely warlike by nature, and after cultivating the Heavenly Demon Body Tempering Art, he became a complete battle maniac whenever he entered combat.

His dark eyes had unknowingly taken on a blood-red hue. His body and soul trembled faintly with excitement. Every time a collision forced him back, he immediately roared and charged forward again.

In only a short while, the two of them had exchanged dozens of blows.

Ji Mo and Yanwei were both extraordinarily powerful. Although their bodies were incomparably tough, after so many direct clashes, the skin between their thumbs and forefingers had already split open. Blood scattered through the air with every collision.

If they continued fighting like this, would they ultimately fight until both of them exhausted their strength and died?

The spectators could not help but feel their scalps prickle as they watched. Even Lei Wei had never imagined that his little disciple would fight with such ferocity and terrifying brutality.

The two people on the platform clearly had no attention to spare for what anyone else was thinking. They collided once more, then retreated from each other.

Yanwei’s pale eyes had now turned deep crimson. He stared at Ji Mo for a long moment before extending his hand.

A broad sword three feet long, bright with a faint violet sheen, appeared in his palm, where the skin between his thumb and forefinger had split open and blood flowed freely.

To be continued…